CLIMBING FUNDAMENTALS

USE MESA RIM CLIMBING TECHNIQUE STATIONS TO LEARN EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO CLIMB WITH CONFIDENCE

The Climbing Technique Stations are a part of the Climbing Fundamentals Area where you can explore vertical terrain before heading out on the floor. Broken down into small, digestible lessons, these stations are designed to guide you through the foundational concepts of climbing such as basic climbing terminology, efficient foot placement, and different body positions.

STATION 1: GETTING COMFORTABLE ON YOUR FEET

Becoming an efficient climber requires an understanding of your climbing shoes, the climbing shoe rubber, and how it feels to stand on different types of climbing holds. At this station, experiment with different foot holds while changing up the way in which your foot is positioned on each of them.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE YOUR FEET:

EDGING

Placing the very edge of your shoe on a pronounced edge of rock. While edging can be done with any part of the shoe, it is most commonly and effectively done with the inside or outside edge of the shoe closest to the toe.

SMEARING

The act of pressing the sole of your shoe directly onto the rock or slab using friction between the shoe rubber and rock to make upward progression.

EDGING

EFFICIENT EDGE

INEFFICIENT EDGE

SMEARING

SMEAR ON WALL

SMEAR ON HOLD OR VOLUME

STATION 2: LEARNING THE HOLDS & USING YOUR HANDS

Climbing vocabulary is complex and unique. A great way to start the learning process is to understand the different types of hand holds, their names, and how to spot them. But knowing the names is just one step of the journey; it’s also important to get familiar with how they feel.

PRACTICE:

Learn the different types of hand holds and see how many different ways you can grip them.

POCKET

PINCH

CRIMP

JUG

VOLUME

SLOPER

CRACK

STATION 3: COMBINING THE HANDS AND FEET

Now that you’re familiar with your shoes, know the names of the holds, and have experimented with both separately, it’s time to combine the two. This station will help you understand the different direction of holds and how your can manipulate your body to move efficiently through uncomfortable positions.

PRACTICE:

Choose a few variations of holds and practice just holding yourself in one position on the wall. See how you can make uncomfortable positions feel comfortable with the shift of your heel or change the direction your body is facing, for example.

TRY OUT DIFFERENCE COMBINATIONS OF:

Hand hold directions:

Down pull

Side pull

Undercling

Gaston

Points of contact:

Left hand, right foot only

All four limbs on the wall

One foot, both hands

DOWN PULL

UNDERCLING

SIDE PULL

GASTON

STATION 4: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

PRACTICE:

To start a climb, match (control with two hands) the hold that has the white start tag and any hold below it. Once your feet are off the ground you have established on the boulder and can start to climb! Practice climbing these boulders using the two different basic climbing positions such as those included in the “Square Position” and “Backstep” videos.

Square Position: Use the inside edge of your shoe with shoulders & hips facing the wall.

Backstep: Use the outside edge of your shoe to turn your hips & shoulders perpendicular to the wall.